Spinning reel for SC Avid Panfish 70LXF

[Randy Price]

I just bought the new SC Avid Panfish 70LXF rod and need advise as to what reel to pair it with.  I already have a Shimano Nexave 1000 (cheap  reel I know but I do like it) or I have an older Shimano Stradic 2500 Ci4+ that I could put on it.  The Ci4+ is actually lighter than the Nexave even though it's a 2500.  I know most guys recommend the 1000 size for a pan fish rod but I didn't know if that was based on size or weight?  Thoughts/opinions???  

[casts_by_fly]

The 2500 wouldn't be a bad choice to start from.  Fish it that way and see if you like it.  For me, a 2500 is too big and heavier than it needs to be for a 7' light rod.  I prefer a 1000 for that and don't mind a 500, though not for bass.

[Randy Price]

4 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

The 2500 wouldn't be a bad choice to start from.  Fish it that way and see if you like it.  For me, a 2500 is too big and heavier than it needs to be for a 7' light rod.  I prefer a 1000 for that and don't mind a 500, though not for bass.

@casts_by_fly, so is it size or weight that determines what reel should go on a light rod?

[JMac603]

I'm a big fan of Daiwa Tatulas. I have the 2k size on my 7' Light Trout-Panfish rod. Balances really well and is a lot of fun. I'd love to hear a review on that rod as I have a few Avids and the 7ML is a standout for me for ned, dropshot, and slip bobber. I'm a wacko that likes/needs to match things so adding a 7' light Avid has been in the back of my brain now for a while. 

[casts_by_fly]

your preferences determine it.

 

For me, I want as physically light as I can get while getting the job done.  Then again, if you had a 4000 sized reel that only weighed 4 oz it would still be too bulky for me personally.  If you go too small you run into the issues of a small diameter spool (lower line pickup, more tendency for line curling, overall capacity) and I also have big knuckles so some smaller reels will crack my knuckles when the bail comes around.  A 1000 is about the right size for me for lots of things.

[MickD]

Agree on Tatulas, great, light reels.  For me the size of the reel depends on what line I intend to use and how strongly I feel about weight for that setup.  For panfish I would think that the line used would be pretty light and any size reel would work OK.  If buying a new reel and if you like anti reverse switches, beware of some brands as they are  discontinuing them.  

 

I have a Fuego LT and I really cannot tell the difference between it and the Tatula for fishing.  I don't know all the details on the differences, but if you want a good reel for about $100, I think a Fuego will do just fine.

[JustJames]

Some will give opinion base on weight to balance the light weight of panfish rod.

Some will also give opinion base on size which panfish consider as light or ultralight thus the reel must be small to keep in traditional???

The CI4+ 2500 weight less than 7oz still lighter than a lot of 1000 size reels out there. Who care if you use bass reel for panfish if that works for you. I’ve used 750, 1000, 2000 and 2500 for crappie and those 1000 of crappies never asked me what size reel I use lol.

Try what you have if you feel you need to upgrade then there many choices from cheap to expensive. Daiwa Legalis LT 2000D is cheap and pretty good bang for bucks. Kage/Tatula LT 2000 if you want to feel a little more refine.  Stradic FL 1000 if you think crappie can brake your reel. 

[garroyo130]

Go JDM and get anything Shimano C2000S sized. IMO its the ideal size until you get into the true SUL rods. 1000 size body, shallow spool just a great size. 

[roadwarrior]

Stradic for $137

https://fishing.asian-portal.shop/category/select/pid/299375

[QED]

The Shimano Vanford series is pretty useful in this application.  It comes in 500, 1000 and 2000 sizes and the latter two weigh the same at about 5.3 oz.  The 500 is actually just a reskinned version of the JDM Soare CI4+ 500S (4.9 oz), but it does have an anti-reverse switch if that matters to you.  Any one of them will work fine for panfish.  I've even caught decent sized bass on all of these reels using 4 and 6 lb test, but that definitely requires quite a bit of finesse.

[Bass Rutten]

I’d say usage is primary factor for reel size, I have this exact rod and use a daiwa exceler 2500 on it, I use it for twitchin’ to cover water and want the extra distance over a 1000, balance and weight is no issue for me. I also have the 6’9” from the same series for pitching jigs n plastics and use the 1000 exceler on that one. 

[Spankey]

You might find a NASCI, Sahara in a 1000. That’s a nice rod. Personally I don’t think you need to put a $250 reel in it for panfish. The sensitivity and action of the rod is most important but I understand your point of not wanting to put a budget $30 one on it also. Have fun with it. 

[QED]

From left to right: Vanford C2000HGF, Vanford 1000F, or if you want to do something totally different, there's always the ludicrous splurge option. ?  I think the 1000 form factor is the best compromise of size and weight for the rod you selected.

[Eric 26]

I’m with @JMac603 on looking forward to hearing your thoughts, I believe you purchased another St.Croix panfish rod earlier this year for comparison ? my apologies if I’m wrong/out of line. As someone who also loves catching panfish and am also hoping to get ahold of that exact model next spring i’m thinking of pairing it with either a Daiwa Legalis LT on the low end but ultimately I would love to pair it with a jdm Shimano Stradic. The reason for jdm is the 5 speed gear ratio vs the usdm 6 speed, the other reason is the smaller spool capacity although the jdm 2000 is the same body but slightly more line capacity which I learned about on this forum and was sent a really cool article/press release from @bulldog1935. My reasoning for the reel choices are wanting to put together a higher end panfish combo and also I’m a real sucker for a good color match ? P.S both domestic models weigh 6.5 oz in 1000 size. Jdm Stradic is the same weight for both Stradic’s also.

[redmeansdistortion]

5 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

Go JDM and get anything Shimano C2000S sized. IMO its the ideal size until you get into the true SUL rods. 1000 size body, shallow spool just a great size. 

Daiwa and Shimano also make some of their 1000 sized reels in the shallow variants.  To my knowledge, these spools are designed for thin braid as mono will fill them quickly.  My friend runs a Daiwa Luvias LT 2000S-XH and it only holds about 60yd of 4lb Trilene XL, but if he's running 5lb Power Pro, it holds a lot more.  

[GetFishorDieTryin]

If youre going for light as possible and spending under 200$ then Daiwa is the way to go instead of Shimano.  The Regal, Legalis, Exceler and Fuego @ 60$, 70$, 80$ and 100$ respectively are the best options for the money in the USDM.  All of them are very similar, essentially built on the same LT platform.  Not much difference between Regal and Legalis other then Legalis being a little lighter.  Regal and Legalis are available in 2k which Exceler and Fuego are not.  Fuego and Exceler are basically the same reel, the only differences are that Fuego has Magseal and a bearing supported spool.  The magseal helps keep water and debris that have gotten under the rotor from getting to the AR clutch and beyond.  Its a nice feature for SW or fishing in rain, but isnt as reliable as physical seal.  For hard charging fish a bearing supported spool is a nice feature, but again not necessary for panfish or LMB IMO.  I really prefer having a thread in handle which you get with Exceler and Fuego, over the hex pin handle that Regal and Legalis have.  You get a more secure connection to the main gear with the threads and the 1pc saves a little weight.  Since you're going for panfish or bass the hex pin is more then adequate.  The weight difference from Regal to Exceler (Exceler and Fuego weigh the same) is like .3oz and Exceler is only .1oz lighter then Legalis.  Personally I think the Legalis or Exceler would the way to go unless you want Magseal or want to go the JDM route. 

 

 

 

[Randy Price]

@Eric 26, you are correct in that earlier this year I purchased a SC Triumph 66LF for pan fishing and paired it with a Shimano Nexave 1000.  I have been happy with it BUT saw that SC now has the Avid panfish series and I was going to be in the Park Falls (SC Factory) area on Monday so I bought it.  I would like to put a Vanford 1000 on it but it's a little out of my budget at the moment.  I was trying to find a Fuego LT 1000 but none of my local Cabela's/BPS have anything in stock.  That's pretty much true with Shimano too.  I may just wait till next spring to buy a dedicated reel for it. 

 

 

[JustJames]

If you plan on Fuego 1000, I think you gonna like exceler  LT or better yet new Legalis LT 2000D at very cheaper price. The differences between Fuego and exceler are Magseal and replaceable knob. For new legalis LT you get Zaion V frame, 6.5oz a little bit bigger spool size but will be hexagon handle which is not too bad for panfish fishing. Magseal I think is over rated for fresh water fishing and startup inertia not as good as none Magseal reel.

[Randy Price]

After much thought I decided to bite the bullet and get the reel I knew I would not be disappointed in.  I spent more than I was originally wanting to but reel selection (especially) in the 1000 size is limited in my area.  I'll let you all know how I like it after I use it a few times.  Regards, Randy

[MickD]

Shimanos don't have anti-reverse switches any more.  Not for me.

[Rob St Croix]

45 minutes ago, MickD said:

Shimanos don't have anti-reverse switches any more.  Not for me.

The new Sahara FJ has one.

[MickD]

I guess I missed that one, but beware, most do not have it.

Maybe the "new" Sahara isn't "new."   

[QED]

The Vanford 500F has one too but not the larger ones in that series.

[Randy Price]

 

I've never used the anti-reverse switch in my 50 years of fishing so not an issue.  I personally find them a pain because I have accidently turned them on.  I'm glad that Daiwa has them for folks that like them but I've never seen the use of them that the drag can't handle.

[MickD]

I like the switch for when I reel in too far and want to let out a little line without having to yank on the drag.   Now and then I like to back reel.  Different strokes.  I like to mention that some brands are dropping them so buyers will not be surprised.